Faculty Arts 2nd Alumni Lecture: “Democracy is Only Idealistic” — Sam Omatseye

By
            Fawaz Adedeji 

The Faculty of Arts, one of the pioneer faculties in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Thursday, January 29, held the second edition of its distinguished alumni lecture, which featured the cerebral homecoming of a 1985 graduate of the Department of History, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspaper, Sam Omatseye, at Oduduwa Hall.

Amongst those present in the event is the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebamiji, the Executive Governor of Osun State, represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Diipo Eluyemi, Ekiti State Secretaries, Traditional Rulers, amongst other dignitaries.

While giving his free will message, the chairman of the event, Governor Oyebamiji, who was not an alumni of the university, recognized the immeasurable impacts of the prolific writer and evergreen journalist with the Nation Newspaper, affirming that there is no doubt in that democracy remains the best form of government in a heterogeneous society like Nigeria, emphasizing that inadequacies in democratic process are a product of rudderless leadership of the elite.

 

Speaking in the event, Sam Omatseye described democrats as politicians, scholars, area boys, street sellers, to mention a few. He further explained that democracy by its characteristics (representativeness, Responsibility, Responsiveness), as described by Abraham Lincoln, defined a true democracy from the lens of pillars of democracy.

Omatseye further noted that the adventures of the “interlopers” (whitemen) did not only territorialize Nigeria, but  also disturbed the psychology of the nationalist. According to him, “the whitemen manufactured our elite, but that meant they manufactured a democrat after their own, as such, democracy is idealist, there is no real democracy.”

Similarly, the interrogation of the lecture titled “How To Make  A Democrat,” was coordinated by the Head of Department of English Language, Prof Babalola.

Side attractions during the event was a performance by the students from the Departments of Dramatic Arts, and various kinds of melodious songs performed by the Department of Music students of the University, to engage the audience during the event.

The event concluded with the presentation of Awards to the chairman of the occasion, Governor Abiodun Oyebamiji, Representative of Osun StatenGovernor, the alumni Mr Sam Omatseye, among others. 

In his closing remarks, the Executive Governor of Ekiti state, Abiodun Oyebamiji, commended OAU students for resilience, commitment and full appearance all through the programme.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Help Save Regina": Department of English Seeks Financial Support For Regina In Need of a Kidney Transplant

By
Image
By Taiwo Oyedeji  Regina Abosede Babalola, a first-year student from the Department of English at OAU, has recently been diagnosed with a severe kidney disease. Her condition has been described as critical, and she is currently admitted to Purplemed Kidney Centre in Ibadan. According to a voice note Regina sent to her brother, Joel Boluwatife Babalola, on May 20, the illness began with her vision becoming blurred and difficulty seeing, which prompted her to visit the Health Centre. After a check-up conducted at the Pharmacy, it was discovered that she had high blood pressure. In an interview, Joel shared how Regina's condition has rapidly worsened since then, as she has been in and out of hospitals, including Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Ile-Ife, and is now currently admitted to Purplemed Kidney Centre in Ibadan. READ ALSO: Law Students Organise Awareness Walk to Raise Funds for Colleague's Urgent H...
Read more

Manifesto Review: A Scorecard on the Students' Union President's Achievements and Unfulfilled Promises

By
Image
By Joy Oludele, Eniola Adeyeye and Israel Bakare  Before assuming the office of Students' Union President, Omoboriowo Damilola Isaac, the President of the Great Ife Students' Union, made a series of promises aimed at improving students' lives and addressing pressing campus concerns. These commitments formed the foundation of the campaign manifesto that earned him support from the student body. However, as the term progressed, many of these promises remained unfulfilled, raising questions about leadership effectiveness, planning, and accountability. The fact that the current President as the head of the Central Executives Council (CEC) has achieved some laudable feats cannot be overlooked. Back in August 2024, the Students' Union executives opposed the bus drivers who wanted to increase the bus fares from ₦150 to ₦200. For a while, the Students' Union provided buses to convey students for ₦100. In addition, the President has facilitated the construction o...
Read more

SPECIAL REPORT: Inside UI and OAU Public Hostels

By
Image
By The Icons Organization and Indy Press  For Deborah, a 100-level student and resident of Obafemi Awolowo Hall of residence, University of Ibadan, staying in her hall of residence was a choice she made because she was in her first year of study. She believed this choice was the safest way to get familiar with the school and its environment. Posi, another student, on the other hand, resides in a school hostel due to proximity. “I stay in Obafemi Awolowo Hall of Residence because of its proximity to classes; the fact that it is cheaper, it is less stressful than house hunting, and much safer than staying outside school,” Posi explained.  Posi's reason for staying in Obafemi Awolowo Hall is the same as that of many students who find themselves in public hostels — it is often cheaper and closer to school. This goes to show just how important hostel accommodation is for students in any university, as it affects both their academics and overall wellbeing.  Unfortun...
Read more